Tufting needle



mms

pri l, E35a A. FRlDoLPH TUFTING NEEDLE Filed June 17, 1932 Patented Apr.16, 1935 g UNITED STATES TUFTING NEEDLEY y Annette Fridolph, New York,N. Y.,assignorto' A A. B. A. Specialties CompanyInc., NewYork n l N. Y.,a corporation of NewYork` I A Application June 17, 1932,@Serial li17,692

' 17 claims. (ci. l22a-33)" This invention relates to improvements inwhat I term as tufting needles, and by that is meant a needle V.orsimilar device which is primarily adaptedto practice theprocess of andperform the tufting operation disclosed in my pending application SerialNumber 542,7 99 led June 8, 1931 for Method of tufting and articlestherefor. The needles, however, may be used for other purposes. 1 Y

The principle object of this invention is vthe provision of such adevice which is provided with means for receiving and holding thetuftinghead of the tufting Yelement (such as disclosed inthe aboveidentified application, or otherwise) together with a plungerresiliently mounted within the needle and adapted to engage the endofthe tuiting head when positioned within the tufting needle. f

In the disclosure in this application I show two forms of such device,one in which the plunger is used as an ejector to force the tufting headout of engagement with the needle, and the other in which the Aplungeris used as a means to bear against the end of they tufting head of thetufting element and hold the same in position within the needle duringthe tufting operation.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear, this invention consists inV the construction,combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and thensought to be deined in the appended claims, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing forming a part hereof and which shows, merely forthe purpose of illustrative disclosure, two embodiments of my invention,it being expressly understood, however, that various changes may be madein practice within the scope Aof the claims without digressing from myinventive idea. e

In the drawing- Figure l represents a side elevational view of one formof device embodying my invention.`

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal cross section of the operating partsof the device shown in Figure 1 on a slightly enlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a perspective View of that part of the body of the device inwhich the tufting head of the tufting element-is positioned, this viewbeing taken from the side. Y

Figure 4 is a View of the samek part shown in Figure 3 taken from thefront.

Figure 5 is a transverse cross section taken substantially on line 5 5of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a transverse cross section taken substantially on line 6 6vof Figure v3.

PAT-Slimmer Figure '7 is a 'perspectiveview `of the lower portion of theplunger which Yis Apositioned within the needle.' I f Figure 8 Yis abeing broken away) of a modified -form of my invention. y

Figureg'is a-detailed view showing the tufting head in position in thedeviceY shown in Figure 8.

Figure A10 is a ldetailed View showingV theztufting head -in position inthe `device vshown in Figures 1jand2., c

Figure A=11 `is atransverse cross section on line ll-llcf Figure 8f." f

Referringnowto the drawing and first to Figures 1 to'? inclusive, thenumeral I designates the needlea's a whole, `which' in the form shown,`has a handle member 2 with an enlarged supporting sleeve`3 connectedthereto. To the `lower end of sleeve'3 is connected ther body part 4ofthe needle.

-This body partis elongated and has the longitudinal sharp'thin pointedmember 5 atits lower end and this part is preferably solid; The upperpart 6 of the bodymember 4 is hollow or in the form 'of a tube and maybe secured directly to the lower end of sleeve 3 by lmeans of thread 'land nut Il,y as

shown. f y

While the part 6 ofbody member 4 is of general tubular construction. andsubstantially circular in cross section forthe great part of itslength,-it is to be noted. that the lower portion thereof may be flattened asat 9 so as to forma substantially narrow receiving recess Ill for thetufting head IIA of' tufting `element I2. As one form of this'tuftinghead isvv substantially flat in construction the receiving recess I0 ismade substantially .3;l

flat so as to completely receive the tufting head within the same.Entrance tothis recess is provided bythe elongated opening or apertureI3 `which is of suflicient size to permit the end of the tufting elementIl to'be inserted therethrough linto the recess'l and to fbe moved alonginto the point 5, I provide the bevelled or inclined surface' I6 whichfacilitates the insertion of the tufting head within the recess Ill andalso assists in the ejection of the same from the recess at thecompletion of the tufting operation. n

A rod orY plunger Il is movably mounted withviewin elevation and section(parts Y zofA ' 3 and has an actuating end 22 which engages the head IB` of the` plunger I1. This trigger' member is located in such positionthat when the implement is grasped by the hand of the operator, thetrigger may be readily actuated by the fingers of the operator todepress or to move the plunger downwardly against the resistance ofspring 29. Y

The lower end of plunger I'I is provided with a slightly enlarged foot23 which is normally positioned at the upper entrance to the recess I0which begins with the flattened or inwardly pressed portion 9 of thetubular part 6 of the needle. l 'Ihis foot is of substantially ovalshape in cross section as shown, so as to fit and readily move withinthe upper portion of recess ID. The 'foot 23is adapted to-engage theupper end of the tufting head I I which has been inserted within therecess and after the pointed portion of the needle has been passedentirelyv through the mattress or other articler being tufted, adepression ofthe plunger by actuation of the trigger causes the foot 23to push the tufting headrfI'I until it reaches the opening I3, and dueto'the pressure against one end of the tufting head and also theengagement of the other end of the tufting head with the inclinedsurfaceI6, said tufting head will bequickly and positively forced out fromsaidrecess Il and ejected from the needle. 1

The operation of this device in practicing my tufting process will bebriefly described. One of the tufting elements t2 (which in one formcomprises a length of tapeor other flexible material with a stiff headformedor provided on each end thereof) is connected toy the needle byinserting one of the tufting heads. II thereof through the opening oraperture.v I3 into the recess I-U and the needle is forced through themattress, day bed, upholsteryor other article being tufted until thepointed portion of the needle beyond the opening or aperture'emergesfrom the other side of the article being tufted.` It is understood thatthe free tufting head of the tufting element engages the side ofthearticle being tufted into which the needle is inserted, and that .whenthe opening or aperture I3 of the needle appears beyond the othersurface of the article being tufted, the actuation of the trigger willeject the tufting head which was carried through the article being'tuftedvby being positioned within the recess I0. This completesv thetufting operation. It is understood that the needle may bepassedthrough-the article being tufted in any direction.

In order to providefor desirable pressure upon the article being tuftedand also to providea gauge in operating the needle, I mount a collarmember 24 upon the tubular portion 6 of the needle. and provide for itsadjustment therealong by meansl of set; screw 25. This operates to gaugethe distance to whichthe'needle ismoved in passing through the articlebeing tuftedv and also will engage the surface into which the needle isinserted and permit the article being tufted to be compressed before thetufting head is-r ejected from the needle in order that'the tuftingoperation may be completed in a proper manner.

The other form of device, illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 includes anelongated needle member 26 having a sharpened point 21 and having asuitable head or handle 28 at the other end. The major portion of theneedle body 26 is hollow or in the form of a tube 29, the lower end ofwhich is provided with an elongated opening or aperture 30 of a sufcientsize to admit the tufting head .of a tufting element previouslydescribed. At this point the tubular portion 29 of the body may beenlarged or deflected as indicated at 3I to provide a recess 32 ofsuicient size to receive the tufting head within the confines of theneedle as a Whole. The lower end 33 of the recess where it leads to theneedle point 21 is closed permanently. A plunger or rod 34 is slidablymounted in the upper portion of the tubular part 29 of the needle and isnormally held in an extended position by means of spring 35. Anactuating member 36l in the form of a collar is slidably mounted on theoutside of the needle body 26 and operatively connected with the upperportion of plunger orrod 34 so that the plunger or rod-may be retractedagainst the pressure of spring 35, it being understood that thisactuating member may be engaged by the fingers of the operator using theappliance. The plunger or rod is of such a length that the lower end'3'Ithereof extends well within the recess when in extendedl position, butmay be withdrawn entirely from the recess when retracted by actuation ofthe collarmember 35.

'I'his device is used as follows: The tufting head Vof a suitabletufting element such as previously described, is inserted through theopening or aperture 3D and into the recess 32, the plunger or rod beingretracted by the operator so as to permit the tufting head to be placedwithin therecess 32. This plunger or rod is then released so that thelower end 31 thereof engages one end of the tufting head, the other endof the tufting head being forced against and engaged by the closed end33 of the recess. This tufting head is therefore held within the recess32 by means of the pressure of the plunger or rod against the same, andthe needle is forced through through a mattress, day bed, upholstery orother article being tufted carrying the tufting head which is positionedwithin the needle in the recress entirely through the article beingtufted. The other tuftinghead on the tufting element engages the surfaceof the article being tufted through which the needle is inserted, andwhen the recess 32 of the needle 26 emerges beyond the other surface ofthe'article being tufted, the plunger or rod 34 is retracted by theoperator against the pressure of spring 35 which permits the tuftinghead which has been located in the recess to be readily pulled or movedout of the recess and to assume its proper position with respect to thearticle being tufted.

What I claim is:

l. A device for tufting mattresses, upholstery and the like, includingin combination an elongatedneedle element having a sharp point andbei-ng hollow for a substantial part of its length,

the lower portion of the hollow part of said needle element beingflattened and formed with a recess having an opening'thereinto ofsufficient size to slidably receive the stiff, at tufting head of atufting element, and a plunger or rod movably mounted in the hollow partof said needle element and adapted to cooperate in the handling of thetufting head and resilient means for normally holding said plunger orrod in a retracted position.

2. A device of the character described, including, in combination, anelongated needle body ing, in combination, anv'elongatedneedle bodyhaving a sharpened pointl and having a tubular or hollow bodyrportion, arecess provided in Vsaid hollow body portion andnear the point of theneedle, said recess 'being adapted to receivethe tuiting head of atutingelement, `a plunger or rod movably mounted in said hollow portion of theneedle and extending through the hollow portion of the needle'asulicientdistance so that it may be projected into said recess, meansfor normally holding said plunger or rod in Va retracted position out ofthe recess, and an actuating membei associated with saidneedle'` forforcing the lend of said plungerorrod into -said recess so as toeject'said tuiting head/therefrom.

' 3; A devifefof the character described, includhaving a sharpened pointvand having va tubular or hollow body portion, a recessprovided in saidv,hollow body portion'and 'near the point of the needle, said Vrecessbeing adapted toreceive the K tuiting head of a tuiting element, aplunger or rcd `movably mounted in saidhollow portion of the needle andextendingthrough the hollow portion of the needle a suicient distance sovthat itv may be projected into `said recess, means for normally holdingsaidrplunger or rod in a retractedposition out of the recess, and anactuating member associated with said needle for forcing the end of saidplunger or rod into said recess so as to yeject said -tufting headrtherefrom, said needle being provided with an inclined surface 'at theend of said recess so as to assist in the ejection of said tuftingelement therefrom.

' 4. A device `of' the character described, including, in combination,`an elongated needle body having a sharpened lpoint and having a tubularorhollow body portion, a recess provided in said hollow body Vportionand near the point of the needle, said recess being adapted to receivevthe vtuftinghead of a tufting element, a yplunger or rod movably mountedin said hollow portion of the needle and extending through the hollowportion of the needle a suflicientdistance so that it may be projectedinto said recess, means for normally holding said plunger or rod in aretractedposition out of the recess and an actuating member associatedwith said needle for forcing the end of Isaid plunger or rod into saidrecess so as to eject said tufting head therefrom, said needle beingprovided with ak narrow slot communicating with said recess and adaptedto receive the material of the tufting element when said tuiting head isforced into saidrecess.

5. A device of the 'character described, including, in combination, anelongated needle body having' a sharpened point and having a tubular orhollow body portion, a recess provided in said hollow body portion andnear the point of the needle, said recess being adapted to receive thetuiting head of a tufting element, a plunger or rod movably mounted insaid `hollow portion of the needle and extending through the hollowportion of the needle a suicient distance so that it may be projectedinto said recess, means for normally holding said plunger or rod in aretracted position out of the recess and an actuating member associatedwith said needle for forcing the end of said plunger or rod into saidrecess so as to eject said tufting head therefrom, the hollow part ofsaid needle being flattened at said recess so that the recess isnarrower and deeper than the normal corresponding dimensions cf theneedle in order that said recess may receive a stili, flattened tuftinghead.

6. A device of the character described, including, in combination, an.elongated needle body having a sharpened point and having atubular or'-hollow body portion, a recess provided in said hollow bodyfportion andnear the-point of the kneedle,saidfrecess beingadapted to receive the'tuftin'g head of a tuiting element, Va plunger or rod lmovably mountedinv said hollow portion of the-needle and extending through the hollowprtionrlof the-.needle a suflicient distance so that it maybe projectedinto said recess, means for normally holding saidv plungerl or rod in aretracted position out of the recess and an actuating'member vassociatedwith said needle for forcing the end of said plunger or rodinto saidrecess so as to 'eject' said tuftingfhead therefrom, the hollow part ofsaid needle beingattened at'said vrecessso that the recess is narrowerand deeper than the.` normal corresponding dimensions of the needle inorder that said recess may receive a'stiif, flattened tufting head, saidplunger or rod havingan actuatingfend lshaped to conform to theinsidecross sec/tionalshape ofthe recess.

7. A tufting, needle, including, inicombination, anl elongated needlebody having a sharp point at one end and a handle" at the other end,said body being provided with a hollow portion having an opening leadingyinto one endfthereof adjacent the needle point so as to provide arecess adapted to receive a tufting Vhead lof a'tufting element,

and means/'for ejecting said'tuitinghead from body being provided'withya hollow portion having an opening leading into one end thereof adjacentthe needlepo'int' s as to provide a recess adapted to receive atuftinghead of a tufting element, and means for ejecting said tuiting head fromrsaid recess, 'f said means including a plunger or rod movably mountedwithin the hollow part of said needleand means for actuating the plungeror `rod vso that its end engages said tufting element to force the samefout of said recess. i g

9. A tufting needle, including, in combination, an elongated needle bodyhaving a sharp point at one end'anda handle vattherother end, said Ybodybeing"A provided with a hollow portion having an opening 'leading intoone end thereof ad- 'low part of 'said needle and means for actuatingthe plunger or rod so that its end engages said tuiting element to forcethe same out of said recess, and resilient means for retracting saidplunger or rod.

l0. A tufting needle, including, in combination, an elongated needlebody having a sharp point at one end and a handle'at the other end, saidbody being provided with a hollow portion having an opening leading intoone end thereof adjacent the needle point so as to provide a recessadapted to receive a tufting head of a tufting element, and means forejecting said tufting head from said` recess, said means including aplunger or rod movably mounted within the hollow part of said needle andmeans for actuating the plunger or rod so that its end engages saidtufting element to force the same out of said recess, said plunger orrod having its lower end provided with a member conforming inA shape tosaid recess.

l1. A tufting needle, including, in combination, an elongated needlebody having a sharp point at one end and a handle at the other end, saidbody being provided with a hollow portion having an opening leading intoone end thereof adjacent the needle point so as to provide arecessadapted to receive a tufting head of a tufting element, and means forejecting said tufting head from said recess, the hollow body portionbeing flattened so that the recess is less in width and greater in depththan the normal. dimensions of said hollow part so that the recess willreceive and enclose a stiff, attened tufting head.

12. A tufting needle, including, in combination, an elongated needlebody having a sharp point at one end and a handle at the other end, saidbody being provided with a hollow portion having an opening leadinginto` one end thereof adjacent the needle point so as to provide arecess adapted to receive a tufting head of a tufting element, and meansfor ejecting said tufting head from said recess, the hollow body portionbeing i'lattened so that the recess is less in width and greater indepth than the normal dimensions of said hollow part so that the recesswill receive and enclose a stiff, flattened tufting head, said hollowportion` of the needle being also provided with a restricted slotcommunicating with the opening in said recess and adapted to receive thematerial of the tufting element when the tufting head is pushed intosaid recess.

13. A needle for tufting mattresses, upholstery and the like, includingin combination, an elongated needle body having a sharpened point at oneend and a hollow body portion, said hollow body portion being providedwith an opening leading thereinto and adapted to receive the tuftinghead of a tufting element, a plunger or rod slidably mounted in saidhollow body portion and having its end adapted to be projected into saidopening to eject said tufting head therefrom, a trigger memberassociated with said body portion and operatively connected with saidplunger or rod to cause the movement thereof to eject said tufting head.

14. A needle for tufting mattresses, upholstery and the like, includingin combination, an elongated needle body having a sharpened point at oneend and a hollow body portion, said hollow body portion beingl providedwith an opening leading thereinto and adapted toy receive the tuftinghead of a tufting element, a plunger or rod slidably mounted in saidhollow body portion and having its end adapted to be projected into saidrecess to eject said tufting head therefrom, a trigger member associatedwith said body portion and operatively connected with said plunger orrod to cause the movement thereof to eject said tufting head, andresilient means associated with said plunger or rod for retracting theend of the same from said recess.

15. A device of the character described, including, in combination, anelongated needle body having a sharp point and having a tubular orhollow bodyportion, a recess provided in said hollow body portion andnear the point of the needle body, said recess being adapted to receivethe tufting head of a tufting element, a plunger or rod movably mountedin saidhollow portion ofthe needle bodyand extending through said hollowportion of the needle body a sufficient dis tance so that it may beprojected into said recess, means for normally holding said plunger orrod in a retracted position out of'said recess, said needle body beingprovided with a narrow slot communicating with said recessfand adaptedto receive the material of the tufting element when the tufting head isforced into said recess.

16. A device ofv the character described, in- -f cluding, incombination, an elongated needle body having a sharp point and having atubular or hollow body portion, a recess provided in said hollow bodyportion and near the point of the needle body, said recess being adaptedtoreceive 1.

the tufting head of a tufting element, a plunger or rod movably mountedin said hollow portion of the needle body and extending through thehollow portion of the needle body a sufcient distance so that it may beprojected into said 3,

recess, and means for normally holding said plunger or rod in aretracted position out of said recess, said hollow part of said needlebody being flattenedatl said recess so that said recess is narrower anddeeper than the normal corresponding dimensions of said needle body inorder that said recess may receive a stiff, flattened, tufting head.

17. A device for tufting mattresses, upholstery and the like, including,in combination, an elongated needle element having a sharp point andbeing hollow for a substantial part of its length, means provided insaid needle element for the reception of the tufting head of a tuftingelement, a plunger or rod movably mounted in said hollow part of saidneedle element and adapted to cooperate in the handling of the tuftinghead, and resilient means for holding said plunger or rod in normallyretracted position.

ANNETTE FRIDOLPH.

